Android topped iOS in global usage for the first time ever!

We all know Android’s market share crushes every other mobile platform out there in terms of shipment volume, but Android’s share of mobile usage as recorded by various networks around the world has always lagged Apple’s iOS platform… until now.

Just as we noted would be the case, Net Applications shows that Android’s share of global smartphone and tablet usage has narrowly topped worldwide combined usage of iPhones and iPad tablets. This marks the first time in the platform’s history that it finds itself at the top of the mobile pile.

Net Applications measure global mobile usage, which it refers to as market share, by monitoring traffic across its massive global network.

In the month of July, the firm shows that Android’s usage share jumped to 44.62% from 43.75% in June. As Android was gaining almost a point, iOS’s share of global mobile usage dipped to 44.19% in July from 45.61% in June. The slight loss was enough to move Apple to the No. 2 slot for the first time since Android’s debut, though things could certainly change quickly with the company’s expected iPhone 6 launch just over one month away.

Meanwhile, Windows Phone enjoyed a nice boost to 2.49% in July from 1.99% in June, and BlackBerry still isn’t big enough to be counted.